Samsung and Mumbai traffic police unite for ‘ No Selfies on Road’

State governments are concerned about the growing number of accidents by many people taking selfies on roads

Samsung India announced the next phase of its ‘ Safe India’ campaign, continuing its commitment to sensitise people about responsible use of smartphones, especially when taking selfies, on the road.

In 2017, Samsung had pledged support to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ drive to reduce road accidents, especially those that happen due to an irres– ponsible usage of smartphones. India has the highest number of road accidents globally. Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways – Shri Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister of Maharashtra – Shri Devendra Fadnavis joined the Samsung ‘ Safe India’ campaign by sharing messages with public and by involving Mumbai Traffic Police to actively participate. A radio message by the ministers on the importance of responsibly using smartphones on the road, including taking selfies on the road is being broadcasted on various radio chann– els across the cities.

MTP has also been communicating with people on road safety through public information systems such as LED walls, text LED scroll bars and LED public display signage positioned at prominent areas in the city. MTP has put– up posters at selected “No Selfie” zones in the city. Shri Nitin Gadkari said, “I am deeply concerned by the fact that India has the highest number of road accidents globally. Irresponsible usage of mobile phones, including taking selfies on the road, is one of the major causes of road accidents. Please use your mobile phone responsibly.”

In India, one road accident fatality happens every four minutes. Not only does India have the highest number of road accidents globally, according to a report by Carn– egie Mellon University, Indraprastha IIT, Delhi and National Institue of Technology, Tiruchira– ppalli. State and local governments across the country are now concerned about the growing number of accidents triggered by people taking selfies while walking, riding or driving.

Safe India campaign has also reached out to children in schools and colleges. A message on responsible usage of smartphones, including ‘ safe selfie’ from the Chief of Mumbai Traffic Police, was played at all schools followed by an animation film on responsible usage of smartphones.

Two trucks mounted with LFD screens played videos with messages on responsible usage of smartphones while skits talking about the issue were organised at select universities, college campuses and malls in Mumbai. Selected radio channels ran contests and engaged with youth at universities, and malls.

A study commissioned by Samsung revealed that nearly 60 per cent users admit to ‘ instinctively’ answering their smartphones when riding and 14 per cent to taking selfies while crossing the road at least once a week. The study conducted across 12 cities in India showed that one- in- three drivers tend to text from behind the wheel if it were ‘ important’.

Samsung has also invested in developing safe mobility apps for bikes, cars and those who are walking. Safe mobility apps such as S bike mode, Car Mode and Walk Mode promote responsible usage of smartphones on the road are a part of ‘ Make for India’ initiative.

The study was conducted across 12 cities in India. It showed that one- in- three drivers tend to text from behind the wheel